How Regional Australia is Writing Its Own Story
Professor Kim Wilkins and her team have a bold vision: reimagining the location of Australian literature from Sydney’s publishing powerhouse to the heart of regional communities. Community Publishing in Regional Australia is an ARC Linkage project, led by Beth Driscoll at University of Melbourne, which show how digital publishing technology is revolutionising who gets to tell Australian stories.
Gone are the days when writers needed big city publishers to reach readers. As Wilkins observes, regional voices are now telling their own tales - past, present, and future. Take Winton, where a local grazier runs a small publishing company alongside his farm. The goal isn't bestseller lists; it's preserving community heritage.
First Nations voices are central to this literary revolution. In Alice Springs, Running Water Press - owned entirely by First Nations women living on Country - publishing what Wilkins calls "beautiful" and "culturally significant" poetry collections. These aren't books chasing bestseller lists; they're capturing authentic Australian experiences often missing from mainstream publishing.
The project goes beyond research, running hands-on workshops that empower local communities with independent-publishing know-how. Eventually, they will equip regional libraries with digital publishing toolkits, making it easier for communities to create books for future generations.
Regional publishing isn't just alive - it's thriving. For Wilkins, the future is clear. Through digital technology and community support, regional Australia is writing its own chapters in the national story.